Kill Bill Volume 2: A Review (2200 hits)
Category: Movies & TVRating: 0.95 on 33 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by JWLMAR10 (View user info) at 2004-04-19 12:05:23 EDT
I just saw Kill Bill Vol. 2 last friday and boy are my arms tired! Oh, that joke never gets old! The movie was very good. I recommend you go see it. There isn't quite as much action and blood as the first installment, but there is enough awesome action to keep you excited. This volume gives a lot more story and could even be seen independently of the first installment.
While this stuff is all grand, the real reason for this review is to pay tribute to an awesome character in cinema. This character is known as Pai Mai. He is this bad ass Chinese kung-fu master who trains Uma Thurman. He has a long white beard that he always strokes when he is satisfied or thoughtful. This guy kicks ass all over the place. He initially fights Uma and she swings at him and he totally jumps in the air, landing in a standing position on the edge of her samurai sword. He then proceeds to totally do a back flip kick sending her to the ground hard.
If you don't even like this kind of movie, or if you don't like Tarantino, then see this movie only for the badassittude of Pai Mai.
User Reviews
Submitted by JinkyWilliams (user info) at 2004-09-13 18:44:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
tuesday:
What exactly turns you off about Quentin's movies, the Kill Bill series in particular?
Perhaps start by qualifying "arty farty".
Stay orange.
--JW
Submitted by tuesdaydelay (user info) at 2004-09-13 18:08:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I hated it. I hate Tarantino and his arty farty films. Apart from Pulp Fiction though, that was quite good.
Submitted by CoachMagirk27 (user info) at 2004-09-13 17:54:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for Kill BIll. Resevoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, all of them, orgasmic.
Submitted by JinkyWilliams (user info) at 2004-09-13 14:55:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I just saw this movie last night. +2. I enjoyed it.
Yes, Pai Mei is awesome. As is his eyebrows. And his beard. And the way it makes him look like a final boss in a game. And him dodging the sword. And him standing on the flat of the sword. "You get a good view of my foot from there". (But Bea has to have some gunboats to hold his weight).
However, Pai was not the main draw for me.
This was a movie made for love of movies. It is a character study. It is a successful tribute to the bargain-bin; to the hoardes of dime-a-dozen spaghetti westerns, kung-fu movies, et cetera.
There are two ways I personally assess a given piece of art: Vehicle and Destination. The destination is where the artist was trying to go; what their message was, where they wanted to take the viewer. The vehicle is the machine by which they journey to and arrive at that destination.
I immensely appreciated and enjoyed both aspects.
He deftly wields the camera to great affect. He alternates from monochrome to color with great purpose. Nothing, be it color, camera angle, or dialoge, should be taken for granted. This movie is rife with symbolism and references.
Something that stands out to me is the incredible display of emotion and feelings that Uma expresses when her character is being sealed in the box and the dirt is being shoveled on top of her. She beautifully portrays Bea's struggle to keep her emotion under reign and not completely melt down. She crosses this line several times, and not for one moment does it appear false. She doesn't over-dramatize, but instead creates a very detailed rendering of someone who has been through an incredible amount of duress and pain already but is coping with the apparent inevitiability that her journey of revenge, and her life, is drawing to a close. You can see her battling to sever the thought path that considers the consequences of being buried alive, and cyclically trying to remain and regain mental fortitude and not become a blubbering victim with no prospects of escape.
Quentin also utilizes an immense amount of foreshadowing, some obscure, some blatant. When the film leaves Uma in the box and flashes back to her arrival and tutlage under Pai, you observe his eagle claw. And then you see him breaking the board, and you're like "oh ho, she's going to break the box and escape that way."
Along those same lines are the emotions that play on her face as she confronts Bill and her child. I think this emotional integrity is consistant across the board and through the movie. Yes, everyone in the movie has some major issues, and no one is "normal" But who is? What is important is that they conduct themselves in a completely believable fashion. Quentin, along with the actors, have an incredible understanding of motive and why people do what they do, and creates a credible rendering of such unique individuals. You see the effects of those issues in the first movie, but causes are "tip of the iceberg"; only hinted at and briefly discussed in the first one. The second volume deals with many of those causes, and allows an open window with which to logically fill in the blanks to things not directly explained that are pertinent.
I liked the elderly gentleman (in Cuba?) whom acts as a father figure to Bill. He exhibits incredible charisma and warmth that undoubtedly assists in his day-to-day affairs. But right under that skin you know that he's greasy, smarmy, and ready to cut a deal 24/7. His dialogue with Bea gives an added dimension to Bill and further humanizes him.
I also really liked the section from Bea finding Bill with their daughter until the end of the movie. It paints a picture of Bill that shows a very human man who goes through a thought process that is completely understandable, given the information that he was provided with.
An excellent "tip of the iceberg" moment in Vol. 2 is Elle's actions toward the end. It was observed that Elle's actions seemed ungrounded and without reason. With little reflection, it definitely appears that her actions are detatched from any consistant logical path (and by logic, I mean the subjective logic by which anyone makes decisions, and not necessarily sound, objective logic).
It can be deduced from the phone conversation after Bill's brother was killed that Elle understood it was her duty to eliminate Beatrix, either by express direction from Bill or from personal interpetation, and she desires to take the credit for herself. When she finds that Bill's brother has her, she seizes the opportunity. The saying goes "honor among thieves". This axiom expresses the reality that there is still a curious code of ethics and morality followed by those outside the established law. Though Elle hates Bea, she respects her and desires a better, more "honorable" death than dying by the hands of Bill's brother, whom she has apparently has no respect for. She would have much rather fought Bea herself, but out of necessity, she utilizes Budd. So she plants the Black Mamba in the suitcase to kill Budd, because she likely understands that Bill would not be happy with the news that his brother had been killed, and would exact revenge on his killer. So she frames Beatrix with the snake.
So, to summarize: She requests the death of Bea because of duty, and though she is entirely unsatisfied with the method, she does so out of necessity.
I did not see any part of the movie that was corny in the least.
It was asked why use the five-point technique when Pai could easily put his fist through the guy. A couple of reasons immediately come to mind. One: To show superiority. It has already been observed that he has no problem doing that. To make perfectly clear to anyone around that he has power beyond the grasp of "mere mortals". Secondly, he can use this technique to avoid the creation of incriminating evidence.
I'm Jinky Williams and I approve of this movie.
Stay orange.
--JW
Submitted by moneyshot (user info) at 2004-06-02 03:45:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
The movie gets a +2. Your review gets a -2.
Submitted by mike <p_samahibiki.at.hotmail.com> at 2004-06-02 03:38:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Well, knowing the various tributes T-boy likes to make in his films, I can't say I'm surprised nothing really held a lot of logic to it. I mean, the whole bit in Volume 1 where she uses Buck's "Pussy Wagon", which would deserve comment in even the most liberal neighborhood, didn't get scoped by cops investigating the killings of two fuckers(pun intended) and disappearance of a patient. You mean, NOBODY discovered the bodies in the time it took her to recuperate? feh...
but the best part in movie 2 is seeing two blonde chicks engaged in mortal combat, with SAMURAI SWORDS, in a TRAILER!! Let's speak of culture clash, shall we? hilarious!
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-04-23 12:58:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
i can't wait to see this shit. i just saw Volume 1, and i've got to have more!
Submitted by Manfre (user info) at 2004-04-23 12:49:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Bob at 2004-04-23 08:08:45 (#)
Ranking: 1
I'm still kinda undecided, the movie was good for the most part but it was painfully corny at times and really just dragged out too much in certain parts of the plot, which weren't all that interesting or important. Also anyone else notice there are no "normal" people in QT films? Everyone seems to be 1 step from insanity and for a large part just seem to do things for no particular reason (such as Elle Driver TELLING Budd to give Beatrix a slow and painful death, then getting pissed when he actually does it, probably a bad example but ya...)
And on one little other comment; the five finger heart exploding palm attack, so called most deadly martial art move, what's the point? Pai Mei can punch through a block of wood with ease, he could just smash their rib cage in with a punch.
/pointless ramble
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QT movies are also always filled with completely unrealistic action sequences and cheesy over the top dialogue.
Just see Pulp Fiction for the most useless dialogue. See From Dusk Till Dawn for the worse over the top dialogue ever. See Kill Bill for the most unrealistic action sequences ever.
The fact that he does it intentionally is what makes his movies so kickass. He makes Mans Man movies. Tarantino is the baddest mother fucker in the world.
Submitted by K.M (user info) at 2004-04-23 12:46:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"What did you say to have Pai Mei pluck out your eye?"
* Old Chinese dude rips out the bitches eyeball, then sneers at her in contempt *
fuck, i think i am going to see that again.
Submitted by Fabish (user info) at 2004-04-23 12:44:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
The movie is badass. Without Pai Mei, the second volume wouldn't have been better then the first. But the best part had to have been when the one-eyed chick got her other eye torn out, and she flailed around screaming like a stupid bitch.
Tarantino dialogue kicks ass all over the place.
Submitted by Dead_0hi0_Sky (user info) at 2004-04-23 12:38:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
tarantino is unmatched, jackie brown and pulp fiction both made me cum gallons, respectively.
Submitted by K.M (user info) at 2004-04-23 12:28:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by FlakMonkey (user info) at 2004-04-23 08:55:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
my favorite scene in the movie:
*clang*
*pluck*
"OH YOU BITCH!! FUCK!! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!"
*crash**crash*
"YOU STUPID BITCH!! YOU BITCH!!! YOU FUCKING BITCH!!!"
*crash*
Submitted by Bob at 2004-04-23 08:08:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I'm still kinda undecided, the movie was good for the most part but it was painfully corny at times and really just dragged out too much in certain parts of the plot, which weren't all that interesting or important. Also anyone else notice there are no "normal" people in QT films? Everyone seems to be 1 step from insanity and for a large part just seem to do things for no particular reason (such as Elle Driver TELLING Budd to give Beatrix a slow and painful death, then getting pissed when he actually does it, probably a bad example but ya...)
And on one little other comment; the five finger heart exploding palm attack, so called most deadly martial art move, what's the point? Pai Mei can punch through a block of wood with ease, he could just smash their rib cage in with a punch.
/pointless ramble
Submitted by jwlmar10 (user info) at 2004-04-19 21:33:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Yea, that bitch completely back stabbed him.
Submitted by Idoru (user info) at 2004-04-19 19:33:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Pai Mei was a great character, but it was kind of balls how Elle killed him. Oh well, bitch paid for it in the end.
Submitted by WiKi (user info) at 2004-04-19 19:32:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
oh..and when Pai Mei hit her in the head with that stick.. HAHAHA
Submitted by WiKi (user info) at 2004-04-19 19:31:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
He has a long white beard that he always strokes when he is satisfied or thoughtful. This guy kicks ass all over the place.
This movie definitely kicked ass HARD.
My favorite part was Pai Mei (those eyebrows..HA!) and after that? The guy in the club doing coke..
"You're about as useless as an asshole right..here" *pointing to his elbow*
ROCK!
Submitted by jillybean (user info) at 2004-04-19 19:16:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I can't wait to see the movie...
this gets a +2 because of the funny eyebrows on Pai Mei. *snicker*
Submitted by jwlmar10 (user info) at 2004-04-19 19:15:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It had some very cool fight scenes. You should have known from the critics that it was going to have more of a story than the first and less fighting. If you knew this, then why did you go to see the movie? It's not like it was a slow movie either. Anyone with the attention span of a 4 year old would not have been bored.
Submitted by comrade_uber <hellhound8.at.yahoo.com> at 2004-04-19 16:12:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
Dissapointing to say the least. The story was good, but there were a total of 5 minutes of action within this movie. Compared to the first one which was almost all anime based fighting, sitting for 2 hours hearing stories gets old fast. They should at least warn in the commercial it has no good fight scenes
Submitted by jwlmar10 (user info) at 2004-04-19 15:04:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Pai mai is not cgi. He is so great that he has an unreal aura surrounding him.
Submitted by Freight_Train (user info) at 2004-04-19 14:44:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Tarantino finally lost his shit. And you never had any
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-04-19 14:41:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"I hate the goddamned Japs!!!"
Pai Mei was so funny.
Elle was badass.
I wish Michael Madsen had been more badass, but I suppose after Reservoir Dogs, he could not get any badder.
"Bitch. You don't have a future."
I want to see that movie again. Did anyone else hear about the movie Quentin Tarantino was thinking about making? It's going to be about Vic and Vince Vega, before they died.
Submitted by DraconianKing (user info) at 2004-04-19 14:38:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
It sucked.
Submitted by Domochevsky (user info) at 2004-04-19 14:13:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Kill Bill was a seriously bad-ass movie, and Pai Mei made it all the better. "The samurai sword is only fit for those... JAPANESE FATHEADS! I hate the Japanese." Hahahaha. Pai Mei rules.
Submitted by Degreeless_Capibara (user info) at 2004-04-19 13:28:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I rented the Volume 1 DVD and it kicked ass. Tarantino is a genius (Pulp Fiction!).
"My wallet is the one that says 'Bad-ass mother fucker'"
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-04-19 13:26:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Totally!
Submitted by Manfre (user info) at 2004-04-19 12:42:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I cant NOT wait to find someone to drag to this movie!
I just saw Kill Bill Vol 1 and it fucking owned my sorry ass.
Submitted by seanfogy (user info) at 2004-04-19 12:36:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
MAN! I want to see this real bad. It wont come out here for another month at least though.
is that pei mai character real or cg? he doesnt look real in that picture.
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2004-04-19 12:28:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
kill bill vol2 had much awesomeness, but I think there should have been less plot and more erupting firehoses of blood fountains coming from severed body parts.
pai mei kicks all kinds of ass.
Submitted by Achilles (user info) at 2004-04-19 12:27:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That movie was fuckin A, the whole sequence with pai mai with her in the coffin was hilarious, i liked the eyeball pluckin too.
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-04-19 12:07:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That movie kicked ass!!! Pai Mei was my favorite part!!
+2 for Kill Bill Vol 2